The Wiccan Rede

The Wiccan Rede consists of eight words:
"And it harm none, do as ye will."

While the Rede is most often mistaken as law or holy script, it is merely advice. Obviously, just by fulfilling the functions of life, we cause harm in some shape or form. The idea behind the rede is that we strive to cause as little harm as possible. Anything that can be done without causing harm to anyone including ourselves is acceptable. In the cases where harm must be caused, it's a matter of choosing which action would cause the least amount of harm. Essentially, any action that would knowingly cause more harm than another or no action at all is unacceptable.

The following is the Wiccan Credo. The first Credo known to be published was in the 1970's by Lady Gwen Thompson. The Credo is often mistakenly presented as the Wiccan Rede. This may be because the Credo was first published as "The Rede of the Wiccae." The following is a version I have compiled using the many and varied versions I have come across over the years. Not all Credos have been Wicca-related. However, I included them as useful in Witchcraft.

Bide the Wiccans laws ye must,
In perfect love and perfect trust.
Live and let live,
Fairly take and fairly give.
If you wish to live and thrive,
Let the spider run alive.
If ye would clear the path to will,
Be certain the mind be still.
'Tis by Sun that life be won,
And by the Moon that change be done.
Cast the circle thrice about
To keep unwelcome spirits out.
What good be tools without inner light;
What good be magick without wisdom-sight?
To bind the spell every time,
Let the spell be spoken in rhyme.
Soft of eye and light of touch,
Speak ye little, listen much.
Deosil go by waxing Moon,
Sing and dance the Wiccan Rune.
Widdershins go when the Moon doth wane,
And the werewolf howls by the dread wolfsbane.
When the Lady's Moon is new,
Kiss the hand to Her times two.
When the Moon rides at Her peak,
Then your heart's desire seek.
Heed the North Wind's mighty gale,
Drop the lock and trim the sail.
When the Wind comes from the South,
Love will kiss thee on thy mouth.
When the Wind comes from the East,
Expect the new and set the feast.
When the West Wind blows o'er thee,
Departed spirits, restless be.
Nine woods in the cauldron go,
Burn them quick and burn them slow.
Oak in the forest towers with might,
In the fire, it brings the God's insight.
Rowan is a tree of power,
Causing life and magick to flower.
Willows at the waterside stand,
Ready to help us to your Summerland.
Hawthorn is burned to purify,
And draw faerie to the eye.
Hazel, the tree of wisdom and learning,
Add its strength to the bright fire burning.
White are the flowers of Apple tree
That brings us fruits of fertility.
Grapes grow upon the vine,
Giving us both joy and wine.
Fir does mark the evergreen
To represent immortality seen.
Elder be ye Lady's tree,
Burn it not, or cursed ye'll be.
As the old year starts to wane,
The new begins, it's now Samhain.
When the Wheel has turned a Yule,
Lighty the log and let the Horned God rule.
When the time for Candlemas shows,
Watch for flowers through the snows.
In the Spring, when night equals day,
Time for Ostara to come our way.
The When the Wheel begins to turn,
Let the Beltane fires burn.
When the Sun has reached its height,
Time for Oak and Holly to fight.
As the Wheel turns to Lammas night,
Power is brought to magick rite.
Harvesting comes to one and all,
When Mabon does fall.
Heed ye flower, bush, or tree,
By the Lady, Blessed be!
By the rippling waters go,
Cast a stone and truth ye'll know.
When you are in dire need,
Hearken not to others' greed.
With the fool no season spend,
Or be counted as his friend.
Merry Meet and Merry Part,
Bright the cheeks and warm the heart.
When misfortune is enow,
Wear the blue star on thy brow.
Stay true in love ever be,
Lest thy lover's false to thee.
Mind the three-fold law ye should,
Three times bad and three times good.
Eight words the Wiccan Rede fulfill:
An it harm none, do as ye will!

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